Subject / Reviewed By
WHMIS Compliance Program / JOHSC / 2005/12
Original Policy Date / Revision Date / Administrative Approval / Program Approval
89/01 / 2006/01/23 / Karin Kristoferson / Laura Pavilonis
Program / Distributed To
People Development / All programs
Purpose:
The Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) program provides St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) and its workers with the information needed to ensure a safe working environment under the WHMIS regulation. The WHMIS Program will be implemented according to the requirements under the WHMIS legislation to reduce the frequency, severity and costs associated with accidents and illness related to hazardous materials in the work environment.
Objectives:
The WHMIS program will provide a uniform system for the proper labelling, handling, storage use and safe disposal of hazardous materials in the workplace. The WHMIS program will provide ready access to information in the form of current Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs). The WHMIS program will provide for training and education of all workplace parties.
Responsibilities:
STEGH will be responsible for implementing all elements of the WHMIS program including labels, MSDSs, training and education and classification of any products produced in the workplace.
All leaders are expected to work in accordance with the requirements of the WHMIS program.
All workers will use the WHMIS information, control equipment and personal protective equipment provided to work safely to protect themselves, their co-workers, clients and the environment.
Education/Orientation:
There are two components to WHMIS training, service specific and general.
A worker’s immediate supervisor will be responsible for delivering job-specific WHMIS training annually or more frequently if there is a change in work conditions or hazard information.
Employees are required to complete general WHMIS training annually.
General WHMIS training will be provided in several convenient formats to accommodate employees who work shifts. This includes:
- WHMIS Education is offered at monthly orientation sessions,
- Annual “Blitz” in November
- On STEGHnet as a self study package
- Through sign-out packages available from Quality & Risk and Learning Systems
- As an in-service provided by the Safety Assistant or designated WHMIS trainers
Employees are required to complete general WHMIS Training, and Service specific WHMIS training at least annually, or more frequently if required by a change in work conditions or available hazard information.
Instruction and training provided to workers will include:
- The contents required, and the purpose of the information contained on a:
- Supplier label;
- Workplace label; or
- Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS);
- Procedures for the safe use, storage, handling and disposal; and
- Procedures to be followed in the case of an emergency involving a hazardous material
The instruction and training program will be developed in consultation with the Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee.
Record Keeping:
The master copies of the MSDSs will be maintained by Quality & Risk.
The Joint Occupational Health & Safety Committee will maintain a written record of the review of the WHMIS program.
All training will be documented. Training documentation will be stored in the “learning database” on STEGHnet.
Resources:
STEGH will provide all workers, with the necessary information, training and personal protective equipment required to perform their tasks safely.
Communication:
Changes to the program will be communicated to all staff by posting information on the Health & Safety Bulletin board, on STEGHnet, by email and by memo.
The MSDSs will be readily available to all workers on all shifts and will be located as a master hard copy in Occupational Health & Wellness (0800 – 1600 Monday – Friday), Emergency and Switchboard (24hrs) and in electronic format on the internet available through the MSDS link on STEGHnet.
Organization:
It is the responsibility of the Managers to ensure that the application of the requirements of this standard are carried out.
Managers may authorize delegation of responsibilities under this standard.
Workers who receive instruction and training under this standard are responsible for using that information to protect their health and safety.
Program Evaluation & Review:
Quality and Risk will consult with the JOHSC in the development, review and implementation of the WHMIS Program.
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210.04.195 - WHMIS compliance.doc